Betty Parsons taught Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana to enjoy giving birth | Daily Mail Online comments Dressed in a simple leotard and leggings, childbirth guru Betty Parsons espoused advice as pared down as she was: ‘Now girls, drop shoulders, breathe out gently, pause, and let your breath come in.’ But the clients who hung on her every word were anything but plain and homespun. For more than half a century the former nurse saw some of the country’s grandest and wealthiest women at their most vulnerable. Those she referred to as ‘my girls’ included The Queen, Princess Diana, the Duchess of York and a host of celebrities including actress Rula Lenska and television presenter Esther Rantzen. A royal birth: The Queen with Prince Edward. Betty Parsons was said to have advised on the labour Her common-sense approach to pregnancy and labour took the fear out of childbirth for more than 20,000 women lucky enough to attend her ground-breaking antenatal classes. When she died earlier this month, aged 96, they came out in force to pay tribute. The mixture of relaxation techniques, practical advice and humour proved soothing in almost any situation. Her motto was: ‘relax for pregnancy and for life’.

RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share This desire to help other women through one of the most fundamental — but often frightening and painful — times in their lives stemmed from her own traumatic experience of pregnancy and childbirth. Born Aileen Murray Slater (the name Betty was originally a nickname from the Hindi ‘Beti’ meaning ‘little girl’) in Pakistan in 1915, she grew up in Canada, where she trained as a nurse. She married Terence Parsons, a commander in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1940, and moved with him to Bermuda, where she became pregnant. When her husband was posted to the Far East, Betty returned to Canada to have her son Michael. She described his birth as ‘long and painful’. She spent much of the time unconscious under general anaesthetic and he was eventually delivered by forceps. She later said that had it been available at the time she would certainly have chosen an epidural. Betty with Prince Charles: The popular childbirth guru passed away this month aged 96 A second son tragically died aged four months of pneumonia and a ‘rather horrible’ miscarriage left her unable to have any more children.

Desperately seeking support, she approached an Indian homeopathic doctor who taught her to overcome her grief and depression with breathing techniques. This became the foundation of her practice in the UK. Once established in Mayfair — where her studio was an oasis of calm, furnished with plump cushions, vases of flowers and pretty paintings — Betty’s classes became incredibly popular. Her patient list read like Tatler’s society pages. During her heyday it was said, ‘every Duchess in Debrett’s was a Betty P girl.’ Countess Alexander of Tunis — referred to Betty P by Sir George Pinker obstetrician to the Queen — remembers her, ‘as a sort of no-nonsense nanny, very soothing and reassuring.’ Part of her appeal to the well-heeled and upper classes was undoubtedly her discretion. 'She believed the most important thing was that the mother was relaxed and confident - not trying to outdo one's friends by having a water-birth or yogic labour positions' She never gave interviews or spoke about clients — however, she did once let slip more than she meant to about one of her most famous cases. A rumour had circulated that The Queen, who had sought Betty’s help when pregnant with Prince Edward, had asked Betty to help her relax.

It had happened not long after intruder Michael Fagan had broken into the palace (making it as far as the Queen’s bedchamber) and Prince Andrew’s girlfriend Koo Stark was exposed as a one-time porn actress. When asked if it was true Parsons rather gave the game away by replying: ‘How extraordinary. I don’t know how you could have heard. I’m sorry but I can’t talk about anyone I give classes to.’ Aside from relaxation techniques, Betty’s greatest contribution to the field of childbirth was her then revolutionary notion that expectant fathers be part of the process. When Betty started out, a father’s role was restricted to pacing up and down the hospital corridor waiting for the baby to be born. He would see his wife and child only when both were cleaned up, and the most important part of his role was to ‘wet the baby’s head’ — and perhaps indulge in a cigar to celebrate the new arrival. The most high-profile father Betty persuaded to be involved in his child’s birth was undoubtedly Prince Philip.

When the Queen went into labour with Prince Edward on Tuesday March 10, 1964, she had her husband beside her, holding her hand, in the bathroom of Buckingham Palace’s Belgian Suite, which was converted into a makeshift delivery room. Advocate: Tessa Dahl sought Betty's help for the births of her four children Philip didn’t attend the births of his first three children, but by the time Edward arrived, even royalty acknowledged that father’s role in childbirth had changed dramatically — although Philip drew the line at attending Betty’s classes. She was sympathetic to men in the delivery room and always told ‘her girls’ to ‘remember to bring wine — he may need it. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward recalls how Betty P had to comfort her husband — distinguished war correspondent Ross Benson — when the birth of their daughter Bella in 1989 didn’t go to plan. ‘Betty had retired by then but Tessa Dahl took me to meet her and when I went into St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, Betty accompanied us. ‘We sent Ross home because he was very nervous and things were moving quite slowly. Suddenly, Betty noticed on the monitor that the baby’s heart had stopped.

‘She summoned the doctor who picked me up off the bed and carried me down to theatre. ‘All the time Betty was holding my hand saying: “Don’t worry darling, it’s going to be alright.” ‘When the baby was delivered it was Betty who told me, “it’s a girl, and she’s perfect” Without her my daughter would have died.’ When Ross returned he collapsed in tears. ‘He never told me this, my brave war reporter husband, but Betty had to comfort him as he sobbed. That was typical of her —there for the whole family.’ 'Another of her great mantras was: "It takes a year to have a baby, not nine months"' In sharp contrast to the modern approach, where childbirth often seems like a competition — with the highest points awarded for ‘natural’ births delivered without recourse to pain relief, where breast-feeding and maternity leave are political issues, where opting for an elective Caesarean is deemed ‘too posh to push’ — Betty thought such worries only added needless stress to the expectant mother.

All of her clients describe her as ‘non-judgemental’ and she believed the most important thing was that the mother was relaxed and confident — not trying to outdo one’s friends by having a water-birth or engaging in yogic labour positions. Tessa Dahl, the writer daughter of author Roald Dahl, visited Betty before all four of her children’s births and even covered for Betty’s secretary when she was away. She recalls: ‘For Betty, any birth which involved a live child being born was natural, she never made you feel guilty about choosing an epidural or a C-section.’ Betty spared women no detail, believing it ‘wicked’ to peddle an ideal of a pain-free labour. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh this week: He was persuaded by Betty to be present at Prince Edward's birth, having not been there for the arrival of his first three children Instead she advocated ‘fearless, not painless childbirth’.

When told a fellow birth guru likened childbirth to an orgasm she famously told her class: ‘Well honeys, if that’s an orgasm, keep me out of the bed.’ One expectant mother said Betty’s advice was so comprehensive it even extended to ‘telling you about different hospitals and whether or not you need to take Vim to clean the bath.’ Esther Rantzen attended Betty’s classes in the 70s and 80s before all three of her children were born and remembers her as ‘incredibly maternal and charismatic. She taught me things I still remember today.’ And for Betty, her job didn’t end at the birth. Another of her great mantras was: ‘It takes a year to have a baby, not nine months.’ She would almost certainly not have been in favour of the current vogue for returning to work weeks or even days after giving birth. Betty advocated a two-hour nap for the mother every afternoon in the first three months after birth. ‘She believed that when women get tired they get angry with their husbands, and time out to recharge your batteries is not wasting time,’ says writer Mary Killen. Sadly future generations will miss out on those soothing, common-sense tones.

And those who were fortunate enough to know them are all lamenting a great loss. Were she here today, no doubt Betty would urge them to cope in the best way possible: ‘Drop shoulders, breathe out gently, pause, and let your breath come in.’ The Queen's birthday - 85 facts you should know about The Queen - Telegraph Queen Elizabeth II The Queen's birthday - 85 facts you should know about The Queen The Queen will celebrate her 85th birthday today by attending the traditional Royal Maundy Service at Westminster Abbey. Below of 85 facts you should know about the Queen. The Queen is celebrating her 85th birthday Photo: AFP 7:00AM BST 21 Apr 2011 Early years 1. The Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. 2. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. 3. At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York.

But it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen. 4. The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. She was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paternal grandmother, Queen Mary. Related Articles The truth about growing old 24 Apr 2011 5. The Princess's early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house taken by her parents shortly after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park. 6. When she was six years old, her parents took over Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their own country home 7. Princess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess Margaret, her younger sister. 8. She received tuition from her father, as well as sessions with Henry Marten, the Vice-Provost of Eton. She was also instructed in religion by the Archbishop of Canterbury. 9. Princess Elizabeth also learned French from a number of French and Belgian governesses.

It is a skill which has stood The Queen in good stead, as she often has cause to use it when speaking to ambassadors and heads of state from French-speaking countries, and when visiting French-speaking areas of Canada. 10. Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide when she was eleven, and later became a Sea Ranger. 11. In 1940, at the height of the Blitz, the young Princesses were moved for their safety to Windsor Castle, where they spent most of the war years. A Royal romance 12. The Queen is the first British monarch to have celebrated a Diamond Wedding Anniversary. 13.Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip first met when they attended the wedding of Prince Philip's cousin, Princess Marina of Greece to The Duke of Kent, who was an uncle of Princess Elizabeth, in 1934. 14.The engagement between Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN was announced on the 9th July, 1947. Prince Philip was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. He joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and after the war, in February 1947, became a naturalised British subject.

Prince Philip was required to choose a surname in order to continue his career in the Royal Navy, and adopted Mountbatten, the name of his mother's British relatives. He was created "Duke of Edinburgh" by King George VI on marriage. 15.The platinum and diamond engagement ring was made by the jewellers, Philip Antrobus Ltd, using diamonds from a tiara belonging to Prince Philip's mother. 16.Prince Philip had two stag parties the night before the wedding - the first at the Dorchester to which the press were invited and the second with his closest friends at the Belfry Club. 17.The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were married in Westminster Abbey on the 20th November, 1947 at 11.30am with 2000 invited guests. 18..The eight bridesmaids were: HRH The Princess Margaret, HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent, Lady Caroline Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lady Mary Cambridge, Lady Elizabeth Lambart, The Hon. Pamela Mountbatten, The Hon. Margaret Elphinstone, The Hon. Diana Bowes-Lyon.

19.There were two pages: HRH Prince William of Gloucester (aged 5) and HRH Prince Michael of Kent (aged 5). 20.The Queen's wedding dress was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell. Norman Hartnell submitted designs for the dress in August 1947. 21.The fabric for the dress was woven at Winterthur Silks Limited, Dunfermline, in the Canmore factory, using silk that had come from Chinese silkworms at Lullingstone Castle. 22..The Queen's Bridal Veil was made of tulle and held by a tiara of diamonds. This tiara (which can also be worn as a necklace) was made for Queen Mary in 1919. It is made from re-used diamonds taken from a necklace/tiara purchased by Queen Victoria from Collingwood and Co and a wedding present for Queen Mary in 1893. In August, 1936, Queen Mary gave the tiara to Queen Elizabeth from whom it was borrowed by Princess Elizabeth for her wedding in 1947. 23.The grave of the Unknown Warrior was the only stone that was not covered by the special carpet in the Abbey.

The day after the wedding, Princess Elizabeth followed a Royal tradition started by her mother, of sending her wedding bouquet back to the Abbey to be laid on this grave. 24.The bride's wedding ring was made from a nugget of Welsh gold which came from the Clogau St David's mine near Dolgellau. 25..Around 10,000 telegrams of congratulations were received at Buckingham Palace and the Royal couple received over 2,500 wedding presents from well-wishers around the world. 26..As well as jewellery from their close relatives, including the King and Queen, the couple received many useful items for the kitchen and home, including salt cellars from the Queen, a bookcase from Queen Mary, and a picnic case from Princess Margaret. 27.The "wedding breakfast" (lunch) was held after the marriage ceremony at Westminster Abbey in the Ball Supper-room at Buckingham Palace. The menu was Filet de Sole Mountbatten, Perdreau en Casserole, Bombe Glacee Princess Elizabeth. 28.The couple departed Waterloo station with the Princess's corgi, Susan, for their honeymoon.

29.The newlyweds spent their wedding night at Broadlands in Hampshire, home of Prince Philip's uncle Earl Mountbatten. The second part of the honeymoon was spent at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate. 30.Early in 1948 the couple leased their first marital home, Windlesham Moor, in Surrey, near Windsor Castle, where they stayed until they moved to Clarence House on 4th July 1949. 31.After marrying Princess Elizabeth, The Duke of Edinburgh continued his naval career, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in command of the frigate HMS Magpie. 32.Although he was The Queen's husband, The Duke of Edinburgh was not crowned or anointed at the Coronation ceremony in 1953. He was the first subject to pay Homage to Her Majesty, and kiss the newly crowned Queen by stating "I, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God." 33.Prince Philip has accompanied The Queen on all her Commonwealth tours and State visits, as well as on public engagements in all parts of the UK. The first of these was the Coronation tour of the Commonwealth from November 1953 to May 1954, when the couple visited Bermuda, Jamaica, Panama, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Cocos Islands, Ceylon, Aden, Uganda, Libya, Malta and Gibraltar, travelling a distance of 43,618 miles. 34. The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. It was a solemn ceremony conducted by Dr Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury. 35. The Coronation was followed by drives through every part of London, a review of the fleet at Spithead, and visits to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 36.The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have four children: Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (b. 1948), Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (b. 1950), Prince Andrew, The Duke of York (b. 1960), and Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex (b.

1964). 37.With the birth of Prince Andrew in 1960, The Queen became the first reigning Sovereign to give birth to a child since Queen Victoria, whose youngest child, Princess Beatrice, was born in 1857. 38.The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have eight grandchildren - Peter Phillips (b. 1977), Zara Phillips (b. 1981) Prince William (b. 1982), Prince Harry (b. 1984), Princess Beatrice (b. 1988), Princess Eugenie (b. 1990), Lady Louise Windsor (b. 2003) and James, Viscount Severns (b. 2007) She has one great-grandchild Savannah (b. 2011) Queen's speeches 39. The Queen has delivered a Christmas message every year except in 1969, when she decided the royals had been on TV enough after an unprecedented family documentary. Her greeting took the form of a written address. 40. In her 1991 message, the Queen silenced rumours of abdication as she pledged to continue to serve. 41.

The Queen issued a writ against The Sun newspaper after it published the full text of her 1992 broadcast two days before transmission. She later accepted an apology and a £200,000 donation to charity. 42. The Queen's grandfather, King George V, delivered the first royal Christmas broadcast live on the radio from Sandringham in 1932. 43. George V was at first unsure about using the relatively untried medium of the wireless, but eventually agreed. 44. There was no Christmas broadcast in 1936 or 1938, and it was the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 that firmly established the tradition. 45. Last year the Queen delivered her address from Hampton Court Palace - the first time the historic building had been used. 46 The speech is written by the Queen and each has a strong religious framework, reflects current issues and often draws on her own experiences. Interest and hobbies 48. An animal lover since childhood, The Queen takes a keen and highly knowledgeable interest in horses.

As an owner and breeder of thoroughbreds, she often visits other race meetings to watch her horses run, and also frequently attends equestrian events. 49. She attends the Derby at Epsom, one of the classic flat races in Britain, and the Summer Race Meeting at Ascot, which has been a Royal occasion since 1911. 50. The Queen's horses won races at Royal Ascot on a number of occasions. There was a notable double on 18 June 1954 when Landau won the Rous Memorial Stakes and a stallion called Aureole won the Hardwicke Stakes, and in 1957 The Queen had four winners during Ascot week. 51. Other interests include walking in the countryside and working her Labradors, which were bred at Sandringham. 52. A lesser known interest is Scottish country dancing. Each year during her stay at Balmoral Castle, The Queen gives dances known as Gillies' Balls, for neighbours, estate and Castle staff and members of the local community. 53. The Queen is the only person in Britain who can drive without a licence or a registration number on her car.

And she doesn't have a passport. 54. The Queen is patron to more than 600 charities 55. To formally greet the Queen men should perform a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am'. Fashion 56. Norman Hartnell, who first worked for the then Princess Elizabeth in the 1940s, produced many of the finest evening dresses in Her Majesty’s wardrobe. His signature style of the 1940s and 1950s was full-skirted dresses in sumptuous silks and duchesse satins 57. Hardy Amies began designing clothes for The Queen in the early 1950s and established his name with the deceptive simplicity of his accomplished tailoring. The portraits by Cecil Beaton released to mark Her Majesty’s birthday in 1969 the are amongst the most memorable designs by Hardy Amies. 58. n the 1970s The Queen awarded her patronage to Ian Thomas, who was an assistant designer to Norman Hartnell before setting up his own salon.

Thomas’s flowing chiffon dresses from the 1970s reflect the relaxed style of the decade. Maureen Rose of the same house continued to design for Her Majesty after Ian’s death until the late 80’s. 59. Between 1988 and 1996, Her Majesty’s dresses were designed by John Anderson. His business partner Karl Ludwig Rehse took over the mantle after his death in 1988 and the Queen still wears his designs today. 60. Stewart Parvin, the youngest of Her Majesty’s designers, trained at Edinburgh College of Art. He began to design for The Queen in 2000 and continues to do so. 61. Angela Kelly is Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser to The Queen. Her role includes designing for The Queen, which she has done since 2002. Angela and her team try and use both old and new fabrics when designing. Some of the material they incorporate has been given to Her Majesty many years ago, some dates from when she was Princess Elizabeth. Birthdays 62. The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on 21 April and her official birthday on a Saturday in June.

63. The Queen usually spends her actual birthday privately, but the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in central London at midday: a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London. 64. In 2006, Her Majesty celebrated her 80th Birthday in 2006 with a walkabout in the streets outside of Windsor Castle to meet well-wishers. 65. On her official birthday, Her Majesty is joined by other members of the Royal Family at the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade which moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horseguards’ Parade. And the rest... 66. Queen Elizabeth II is the fortieth monarch since William the Conqueror 67. She has visited Australia 15 times, Canada 23 times, Jamaica six times and New Zealand ten times 68. She has sent around 100,000 telegrams to centenarians in the UK and the Commonwealth 69. The Queen has launched 23 ships and met five astronauts at Buckingham Palace 70.

She first flew in an aeroplane in July 1945 71. She is the only British monarch in history properly trained to change a spark plug 72. On VE Day she and her sister slipped into the crowd to celebrate 73. She collected clothing coupons for her wedding dress 74. The Queen has a bank account at Coutts & Co. There is a Coutts cash-dispensing machine in Buckingham Palace 75. The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002, including visiting 70 cities and towns around the UK 76. Tony Blair was the first prime minister to be born during her reign, which has already seen nine prime ministers 77. The Queen has sat through 91 state banquets and posed for 139 official portraits 78. Technically The Queen still owns the sturgeons, whales and dolphins in the waters around the UK which are recognised as 'Fishes Royal'. She also owns all wild 'mute' swans living in open water. 79.

The Queen introduced a new breed of dog known as the "dorgi", when one of the corgis mated with a dachshund named Pipkin 80. The Queen is the first British monarch to see three of her children divorce 81. She demoted a footman for feeding her corgis whisky 82. The Queen has nine Royal thrones - One at the House of Lords, two at Westminster Abbey, and six in the throne room at Buckingham Palace. 83. She is a Patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. One of the Queen's birds is called Sandringham Lightning 84. There have been six Archbishops of Canterbury during the Queen's reign 85. The Queen is 5ft 4 inches or 160cm tall.

A history of royal babies: Top 25 facts | Royal | News | Daily Express ROYAL A history of royal babies: Top 25 facts QUEEN VICTORIA, mother of nine, once observed: “I don’t dislike babies though I think very young ones are rather disgusting.” 09:32, Mon, Jul 22, 2013 Kate Middleton and Prince William are expecting their first child together After the Duchess of Cambridge historically gives birth in St Mary's hospital today, it’s likely that the little one will receive more affection than that displayed by the 19th-century monarch towards her own new offspring. Here we reveal 25 fascinating facts about royal babies through history… 1 When Henry VIII was a baby he had two official cradle rockers – Frideswide Puttenham and Margaret Draughton were paid £3 a year each to carry out their duties. Henry’s wet nurse Anne Oxenbridge received £10 a year. 2 Though Henry VIII didn’t attend his daughter Elizabeth’s christening it was a lavish affair. In 2007 her christening gown was rediscovered in the back of a cupboard at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire.

3 Worries about imposters being smuggled in to the royal bedchamber date back to the birth of King James II’s son Prince James in 1688. Rumours were rife that the king’s wife Mary of Modena had swapped her stillborn child for another baby having it secretly brought in via a bedpan. During the labour of our Queen’s mother, the Duchess of York (later the Queen Mother), Home Secretary Sir William Joynson-Hicks was on hand to make sure there was no baby swapping. The last time a Home Secretary performed such a task was in 1936 for the birth of Princess Alexandra, the Queen’s cousin. 4 During the 18th century Frederick, Prince of Wales, was on bad terms with his father George II. He was at their home in Hampton Court when his wife Augusta went into labour in 1737. But Frederick hated the idea of his first child being born under his parents’ roof so he bundled Augusta into a coach in the middle of the night, taking her to St James’ Palace. Here no arrangements had been and the new baby girl, also called Augusta, had to be wrapped in a tablecloth.

5 Queen Anne (1665-1714) had 18 pregnancies. Only one of her children survived infancy – Prince William. 6 In June 1840 while pregnant with her first child Queen Victoria survived an assassination attempt by Edward Oxford. She later said the fi rst two years of married life had been “utterly spoilt” by her pregnancies saying she felt like a “cow” or a “dog”. 7 Victoria had been breast fed but refused to do so to her nine children. She supervised their bath time but complained of the “frog-like action” of babies and said that even the prettiest was “frightful when undressed”. 8 In the 19th century pain control during birth was controversial but Queen Victoria inhaled chloroform during the delivery of Prince Leopold, her eighth child, in 1853. Her physician Sir James Clark reported: “Her Majesty was greatly pleased with the effect.” 9 When the future Edward VII was born the news was greeted with a 41-gun salute, a tradition that has been kept up ever since.

10 Elizabeth II was born by caesarean section at 2.40am on April 21, 1926, at her mother’s parents’ house – 17 Bruton Street in London where there is a plaque to mark the event. 11 The Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was born on a kitchen table in a villa in Corfu, on June 10, 1921. 12 When Prince Charles was born the water in Trafalgar Square’s fountains was coloured blue. 13 His birth was also announced in the traditional way with a notice posted on the railings outside Buckingham Palace. Some 3,000 people were waiting for the news and struck up a chorus of For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow. News of the new royal baby will be displayed on an easel in the forecourt of the palace.

14 Two weeks after Charles was born the Queen wrote: “I still find it hard to believe that I really have a baby of my own.” 15 When Prince Charles was baptised in Buckingham Palace’s music room on December 15, 1948, water was taken from the River Jordan in a tradition believed to date back to the time of Richard I. 16 Princess Anne was born on August 15, 1950. Rationing was still in force and when her father went to complete her birth certif cate he was given his daughter’s identity card, ration book and bottles of cod liver oil. 17 The Queen gave birth to Prince Andrew in 1960 and Prince Edward in 1964. As babies she kept her children in a mahogany crib in her office while she worked. 18 Princess Diana, who craved bacon sandwiches through both her pregnancies, recalled that her pregnancy with William had been quite difficult. However, unlike medieval queens who were confined for a month before and after birth she left hospital with baby William just 24 hours later. 19 Princess Diana did not use pain relief but she did suck on an ice cube to stay cool and hydrated.

Prince William with parents Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1983 I still find it hard to believe that I really have a baby of my own The Queen 20 Princess Diana gave birth to William after 16 hours of labour. He was the first royal baby to wear disposable nappies. Prince Charles observed that his son had “sausage fingers just like me”. 21 Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984. The day after, Prince Charles took part in one of his favourite pastimes, a game of polo. Diana said: “If men had babies they would only have one each.” 22 Prince William will be with the Duchess of Cambridge during her delivery. Prince Albert and Edward VII were present for the birth of their children. 23 Prince William will be 31 when he becomes a father. The oldest king to father a child was Edward I who was 66 when his last child Eleanor was born in 1306. The oldest mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine who gave birth to the future King John in 1166 when she was 44 years old. 24 The new royal baby will be third in line to the throne.

It will be the first time since 1894 that there have been three generations of direct heirs alive at the same time: Charles, William and his baby. 25 The Duchess of Cambridge was born at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on January 9, 1982. From the age of two Kate Middleton lived with her family in Amman, Jordan, and is said to have been such a bright child that she was able to sing Happy Birthday in Arabic before she could render it in English. Related articles Queen Elizabeth II - Biography - IMDb Queen Elizabeth II Biography Showing all 76 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (1) | Trade Mark (2) | Trivia (50) | Personal Quotes (18) Overview (4) Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor (Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of York) Nicknames 5' 4" (1.63 m) Mini Bio (1) Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926, in London England to the second son of George V -- Albert, Duke of York and the Duchess of York, the former Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

Her sister Princess Margaret was born 4 years later. In 1936, when she was 10, her uncle, King Edward VIII (aka Duke of Windsor ), caused a stir by abdicating the throne to marry a twice-divorced American named Wallis Warfield Simpson. His brother Albert was next in line to the throne, and he became George VI in honor of his father. She therefore became the Heiress Presumptive, meaning she would become Queen only if her parents did not have a son -- who would be king before her. At the age of 13, she met 18-year-old Prince Philip , her distant cousin. As her grandmother Queen Mary put it with more detail, they were third cousins through their descent from Queen Victoria (they are both great-great grandchildren of hers) second cousins once removed through their descent from King Christian IX of Denmark (her great-grandmother was Christian's daughter, his father was a descendant of his) and fourth cousins through their descent from George III (both of them being descendants of Queen Victoria -- she was his granddaughter).

They fell in love and wanted to get married, but her father wanted to make sure it was real and not just because this was the first person she loved. Before they got married, he renounced his royal title as a Prince of Greece and Denmark, became a British subject, and adopted the surname of his uncle Louis Mountbatten . He was named Duke of Edinburgh shortly before they got married but was not made a Prince of the United Kingdom until 1957. They got married on November 20, 1947. One year later, they had a son, Charles Philip Arthur George. In 1950, they had Anne Elizabeth Alice; in 1960, Prince Andrew; and in 1964, Prince Edward. When they were in Kenya in 1952, they found out that her father had died of lung cancer so they returned as Queen and Consort. It was a busy time and got even busier. They worked at public engagements and, starting in the late 1970s, became grandparents. Anne had a son name Peter in 1977 and then a daughter named Zara in 1981 with her husband Captain Mark Phillips.

Charles had William in 1982 and Henry in 1984 with his wife Diana. Andrew had Beatrice in 1988 and Eugenie in 1990 with his wife Sarah Ferguson. On November 20, 1997, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family and also celebrated the fact that Windsor Castle was reconstructed after a fire in 1992. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous Spouse (1) ( 20 November 1947 - present) (4 children) Trade Mark (2) Dress suit, big hat, boxy handbag Corgi dogs Trivia (50) Ascended British and Commonwealth thrones on February 6th, 1952. Was crowned in Westminster Abbey in London on June 2, 1953. This coronation became the first major international television broadcast. Son, Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, born Nov. 14, 1948. Son, Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, born Feb. 19, 1960.

Son, Prince Edward Antony Richard Louis, (aka Edward Wessex ) born March 10, 1964. Daughter, Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, born Aug. 15, 1950. Daughter of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and King George VI . Owns one of the world's largest private collections of postage stamps. She formally approves all government legislation, though she does this on the advice of the Prime Minister. It would create a massive crisis if she did not approve a piece of legislation. She enjoys watching horse-racing, "Doctor Who" and the British comedy Last of the Summer Wine (1973) . She has owned over 30 corgis over the years, and her four current dogs are named Pharos, Swift, Emma, and Linnet (as of February 2002). First cousin of the Duke of Gloucester . Earned her nickname "Lillibet" as a child, when she could not pronounce her name. Great-granddaughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra . Not including the United Kingdom, she is Queen of over a dozen countries, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Since she does not live in those countries, though she visits often, much of her duties are performed by a Governor General who she appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister of the country in question. It is important to note that neither the sovereign nor the Governors General, have had any hand in governing these countries since the 1930s, and their roles are purely ceremonial. She owns the world's finest Pink Diamond, It forms the Centre of a flower brooch and weights 54.50 carats. Although most of the "Crown Jewels" are owned by the state, the British Royal Family do own one of the most valuable collection of jewels in the world, containing some of the worlds largest diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Rubies. Time Magazine's "Man (or Person) of the Year" (1953) Learnt to drive in 1945 when she joined the Army. Is fluent in French. Has sat for 139 official portraits to date. Has visited the sets of Britain's most popular soap operas Coronation Street (1960), EastEnders (1985) and Emmerdale (1972).

Has received over 3 million items of correspondence during her reign. Has never held a drivers license, despite driving an ambulance in WWII. She does, however, drive on her lands. The 2009 Sunday Times List estimated her net worth at $442 million. Her Majesty became Queen in a tree house. At the time of her father's death she was staying at the Treetops Hotel. It is literally built into the tops of the trees of the Aberdares National Park as a tree house, offering the guests a close view of the local wildlife in complete safety. It was there that, uniquely, she "went up a Princess and came down a Queen". She was the first British monarch since the Act of Union in 1801 to be outside the country at the moment of succession, and also the first in modern times not to know the exact time of her accession (because her father, George VI, had died in his sleep at an unknown time); it fell to Prince Philip to tell her. The night of the King's death, Sir Horace Hearne, then Chief Justice of Kenya, escorted The Princess Elizabeth, as she then was, to a state dinner at the Treetops Hotel.

Upon finding out that she was now Queen, she returned immediately to Britain. Has 8 grandchildren:Prince William Arthur Philip Louis (b. 21 June 1982), and Prince Henry Charles Albert David (b. 15 September 1984, Prince Charles' sons), Peter Mark Andrew Phillips (b. 15 November 1977) and Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips (b. 15 May 1981, Princess Anne's children), Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary (b. 8 August 1988) and Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena (b. 23 March 1990, Prince Andrew's daughters), Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary (b. 8 November 2003) and James Alexander Philip Theo, Viscount Severn (b. 17 December 2007, Prince Edward's children). Cousin of Lady Elizabeth Anson . Her favourite Royal residence is Windsor Castle. Likes tea, with milk and no sugar every morning. Harry's graduation was the first time in 15 years she presented the ceremony. Ascended the throne when she was 25. May 4-8.

Her Majesty stayed in Jamestown, Virginia to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the colonizing of Jamestown. [May 2007] On the 9th of September 2007 there was much news coverage of Queen Elizabeth II attending the Opening of the Welsh Assembly. Unfortunately, unintentional humor resulted when some broadcasters used the common abbreviation of the word Assembly. Her Coronation in 1953 was watched by a 13-year old David Jason ; she later knighted him during her birthday honors on December 1st, 2005. According to Jason, she never tells anyone to 'arise' once they've been knighted - it's an urban myth and not part of the ceremony. Later, she told Jason he had been in the business a long time, and he asked if he had ever done anything to offend her. She laughed and said no. She is one of the six surviving people mentioned by name in the 1989 Billy Joel song "We Didn't Start the Fire". The other five are Doris Day , Brigitte Bardot , Chubby Checker , Bob Dylan and Bernard Goetz .

On September 9, 2015, she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch in British history. During her long illustrious reign, the Queen has met all but one of the last twelve US Presidents, Lyndon Johnson being the exception. In chronological order she has met, Harry S. Truman (Canadian Embassy Washington 1951), Dwight D. Eisenhower (St. Lawrence Seaway opening 1959), John F. Kennedy (London 1961), Richard Nixon (UK 1970), Gerald Ford (White House 1976), Jimmy Carter (Buckingham Palace 1977), Ronald Reagan (UK 1982), George Bush (Washington 1991), Bill Clinton (Buckingham Palace 2000), George W. Bush (White House 2007), Barack Obama (London 2016). She also met former US President Herbert Hoover more than 20 years after he left office (New York City 1957).

Question: In which year did the Queen give birth to Prince Edward?
Answer: 1964